What is Guangxi without Guilin, Yangshuo (桂林, 阳朔)? I am sure most people have heard of the phrase “桂林山水甲天下”. It’s a chinese proverb, which literally means Guilin’s mountains and water bodies are the number one in the world. One of the trademarks of Yangshuo would be the Limestone hills 石头山 located all around it.
For those who need to know about the Geography of China, Guangxi is a state and the capital is Nanning. Guilin is located at the North-east of Guangxi and Yangshuo is part of Guilin city. It’s also one the most popular tourist spots of Guangxi. So, the exact location is Yangshuo, Guilin, Guangxi, China.
Guilin is where one of the most scenic hiking route along the Li River 漓江, Xingping-Yangdi 兴坪镇-杨堤 is located at. To begin the journey from Yangshuo, I took a public bus (¥7 per journey) at the Yangshuo South bus terminal to Xingping bus terminal. From Xingping bus terminal, there begins the hiking journey. The whole hiking route from Xingping to Yangdi includes 5 hours of walking, 3 boats across the river and lots of beautiful scenery along the way.
This is the rough location of the 3 places, Yangshuo city, Xingpingzhen and Yangdi.
On the hiking route, I saw Nine Horses Hill 九马画山, the 20 yuan Bill Background Scenic Spot and needless to say, the majestic looking Li River.
the ¥20 bill background scenery in the background
On the way: route to Nine-horses hill
From Xingpingzhen, it takes around an hour to reach Nine-horses hill. There were several guesthouses and shops on the way there. The first jetty is at the foot of Nine-horses hill. Over there, everyone has to pay a flat rate of ¥10 which will allow you to take the boat across the river.
Nine-horses hill, otherwise known as 九马画山
After crossing the river, there would be signs guiding you towards the hiking route. My friends who took this hiking route told me that it would be really easy to walk towards Yangdi starting from here because there are signs which serve as guidance. However, things did not go so smoothly for me and I still lost my way. I had no idea I already walked pass the hiking route until I realised that I couldn’t see the river anymore. I saw a shepherd and asked him for directions and he told me that the route I was taking was heading to the mountains and not Yangdi.
the first signs i saw
I really like losing my way because that’s when adventure begins. Isn’t it boring to just walk and walk along the hiking track together with all the other tourists? I met so many helpful locals who guided me to 全家洲 Quan Jia Zhou, the second pier/jetty. One of the locals even told me, “有什么事，记得打110 (in case of emergency, call 110)”.
there were oranges growing almost everywhere
Because it wasn’t the proper hiking route, I had to walk through really narrow roads and paths (which were meant for villagers) to reach Quan Jia Zhou.
At Quan Jia Zhou, there are two ways to go to Yangdi from Quan Jia Zhou. One way is to take a boat straight to Yangdi and another way is to take a boat across the river for ¥10, continue along the hiking route and then take another boat (also for ¥10) across the river again to reach Yangdi. I chose the first route because it was already 4pm and the last bus from Yangdi to Yangshuo was at 5.30pm. Plus, I was also lazy to continue walking. My boat from Quan Jia Zhou to Yangdi costed ¥40, despite much negotiation because I was the only person taking the boat.
on the boat towards Yangdi
arrival at Yangdi
the jetty of yangdi
they say, Guilin’s scenery is indeed beautiful. Some people said I am crazy for hiking alone, but I know that’s a compliment, because “the best people in life usually are.”
Solo Expeditions 
